NIMC brings NIN registration closer to communities on nationwide ward drive

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced plans to commence a nationwide ward-level enrolment exercise for the National Identification Number (NIN).

This is a move aimed at expanding identity registration across Nigeria. The initiative follows a presidential directive and is designed to take NIN registration directly to grassroots communities, ensuring that every Nigerian citizen and legal resident including children and adults are captured in the National Identity Database.

The enrolment exercise will be conducted free of charge as part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), which seeks to promote inclusive governance, national development, and improved access to identity services, according to a statement signed by Kayode Adegoke, head of corporate communications at NIMC.

NIMC stated that the ward-level enrolment programme represents a strategic step towards decentralising identity services, improving accessibility, reducing travel costs, and encouraging widespread participation in the national identification process.

“The initiative is aimed at deepening identity inclusion by bringing registration closer to communities, thereby reducing the burden of long-distance travel and ensuring nationwide participation,” it said.

To ensure smooth implementation, NIMC said it has begun extensive stakeholder engagement at the national, state, and local government levels.

This includes collaboration with state governments, local government chairpersons, traditional rulers, community leaders, market associations, and faith-based organisations to drive public awareness and encourage participation.

The commission urged Nigerians and legal residents who are yet to enrol to take advantage of the exercise by registering themselves and their family members, including children and elderly relatives, within their communities. It will begin on February 16, 2026.

NIMC noted that detailed ward-level schedules guiding the rotational deployment of licensed enrolment partners and its personnel have been published on its official website and members of the public can also make inquiries or lodge complaints through the commission’s toll-free line.